Study #1: Phenomenal Growth in Reading, Math, & Processing Speed
”In this 2012 study, we partnered with researchers from University of California at Santa Barbara and Boys and Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme in Southern California.
The Students:
- 62 students in grades 2-6
- Students were recommended for the study by teacher or staff referral, so the students in the study were more likely to have attention, learning, or behavioral problems
The Study:
- Students were divided into a control group, and two groups running variations on Hardy Brain Training programs.
- All students took a pre-test and post-test to measure their growth. The tests used were:
- Woodcock-Johnson III NU Tests of Cognitive Abilities: the Decision Speed Test and the Visual Matching Test (which measure processing speed)
- Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement: the Math Fluency Test
- The control group received only the basic enrichment activities that were offered as part of that after-school program
- The Hardy Brain Training groups were taken out of the usual enrichment program for 40 minutes of Hardy training per day, for a total of 20 days
Results:
- Processing Speed: 2 years + 9.5 months’ growth (vs. 11 months in control group)
- Math Fluency: 1 year + 7 months’ growth (vs. 3.5 months in the control group)
- Reading Fluency: 6 months’ growth (vs. 1 month for the control group)
> 2 years’ growth in processing speed
> 2 years’ growth in math fluency
6 months’ growth in reading fluency
Study #2: Improved Standardized Test Scores in Math & Reading
In this 2011-2012 study, we partnered with the Rio School District and Boys and Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme in Southern California.
The Students:
- 110 students in grades 2-6
- Members of after-school Boys and Girls Club programs in the Rio School District, Southern California
The Study:
- Students took the California State Standardized Achievement Test (STAR) to measure their proficiency at Reading and Math before and after training
Results:
- Reading:
- Before training, only 24% of participants scored “Proficient” or above in Reading
- After training, that number raised to 35%
- Math:
- Before training, only 39% of Club members scored “Proficient” or above on Math
- After training, that number raised to 55%
Study #3: Academic Growth and Better Behavior
In this 2011 study, we partnered with researchers at California Lutheran University.
The Students:
- 54 students
- Grades 2-8
- Before: Struggling with academic performance and behavior
The Study:
- Students went through a typical Hardy Brain Training sequence
- Pre- and post-training ratings on behavior and school performance by teachers and parents
- Pre- and post-tested with the Woodcock-Johnson Inventory for Reading Fluency, Math, and Processing Speed.
- Pre- and post-tested for processing speed with the WISC Coding and Symbol Search
- Pre- and post-tested for math skills with the Mathematics Performance Inventory.
Results:
The students showed an average of:
- 9.1 months’ improvement in reading
- 3.9 months’ improvement in math
- 1.6 years’ improvement in processing speed
In addition to testing gains, parents and teachers reported:
- 35% improvement in ability to pay attention
- 32% improvement in reading, math, spelling, and writing
- 27% improvement in ability to organize and communicate ideas
- 35% improvement in focus
- 30% improvement in ability to finish work on time
- 32% improvement in listening skills
- 28% improvement in ability to manage frustration
- 31% improvement in ability to finish work independently
- 21% improvement in coordination and motor skills
- 25% improvement in ability to work well with others
- 31% improvement in self confidence
Study #4: Huge Growth in Reading & Processing Speed
In this 2013 study, we partnered with researchers from California Lutheran University and Boys and Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme in Southern California.
The Students:
- 143 students in grades 2-6
- Club members of after-school Boys and Girls Club programs in the Rio School District, Southern California
The Study:
- Students participated in the Wordquest program
- Club staff evaluated participants before and after training using a Likert Scale to judge the student’s’ ability to pay attention, focus, complete work independently, follow directions, read with less frustration, and self-esteem/self-confidence
- Students also completed pre- and post-tests:
- Reading fluency was measured using TOSWRF, which looks at word identification ability and speed, word comprehension, and general reading fluency
- Processing speed was measured using the Woodcock-Johnson III NU Tests of Cognitive Abilities: the Decision Speed Test and the Visual Matching Test
Results:
- 1 year’s growth in reading
- 1 year 3 months’ growth in processing speed
- 23% improvement in following directions
- 25% improvement in ability to pay attention & focus
- 24% improvement in ability to work independently
- 27% reduction in reading frustration
- 31% improvement in self-confidence and self-esteem
Students of all ages show reading & processing speed growth.
Wordquest can be used for students in grades 1-6.
Students of all abilities show growth in reading & processing speed.
Hardy Brain Camp benefits all students: advanced, average, and struggling.
Consistent Results—Our approach produces dramatic growth across all grade levels.
